2015 likely held as many life changes as we had ever experienced in a single year. Shortly after taking a week-long vacation to celebrate our fifteen anniversary, which may have been the first full week we were away from our jobs at the same time since our honeymoon, I completed the SHRM prep course...

When was the last time a project or goal slipped, and your first instinct was to explain away the outcome — or even quietly shift some of the responsibility? 

As leaders, we all juggle demanding responsibilities. When things go sideways — especially when we feel overwhelmed or frustrated — it’s eas...

How Well You Lead Is Up To You

Leadership begins with you. No one else can take the reins of your personal growth and development—it’s up to you to lead yourself well. In 2001, my husband Wes and I embarked on a journey to understand leadership and personal growth. As newlyweds juggling family and ...

Earlier I shared Marcus Buckingham’s comment about love being the most powerful force in business for driving behavior - except he probably spells it behaviour… In that same talk, he said that “love is the precursor to contribution,” and related it to the engagement we can achieve from our employees...

If any of us really hope to tap into the power of having a clear purpose while juggling all the responsibilities that come with leading a team of any size, we will need to be sure we’re getting the most possible out of every ounce of time we have. Let me be clear though, that’s no small task! Every ...

During a phone call with a lifelong friend, I heard one of the most unique combinations of passion and despair that I can remember. He shared how he felt like he was just going through the motions in one aspect of his professional life, grinding his teeth through each project he completed, but const...

If you’ve ever been in a session where Cindy and I teach on communication and behavioral styles, you’ve likely heard me share that my dad has told me for years that I’d get more patient as I got older. So far though, only one of those two things have happened. When I tell that story in person, I ask...

Let’s go back to that less than engaging experience I mentioned before where a fellow not named Bret Michaels soured my opinion of every bit of music he and his band had put out during their entire career… He and his band released an EP and five full studio albums before 1983 & 1990 and they had qui...

At this point, I feel like I’ve pounded the drum loudly enough about communication being a responsibility we can’t duck if we expect to lead anyone around us. And I think you’re probably on the same page with me that the messages we send as leaders are far more than just what we say… Hopefully I’ve ...

Having looked at the one responsibility we can’t shirk as a leader, as well as what we can expect to happen if we do, let’s take a quick look at some data that makes a strong case for why communication really is so important in leadership… It’s not just some crazy tirade I’m on, that touchy-feely so...

When we’re willing to be actively engaged in that arena we looked at last time, taking action to make a difference for the team we’re a part of and for the people we care about, we won’t likely have a lot of time left over to worry about pointing fingers or placing blame. To that end, I can’t think ...

I’ll circle the wagons once more with that question my friend asked me recently; What are the biggest challenges you’re facing in the workplace today? As much as I’d like to, we can’t blame it all on the attorneys. I don’t even think the participation trophies I referenced last time are completely t...